A South African proposal to allow producers to water down musts would flout European law, says the WSTA.

The proposal, to legalise adding water to must, has already been passed by the South Africa’s Wine and Spirit Board and is now being considered by the Government.

Producers say the method aims to improve quality not increase volume, as well as meet a growing trend for lower alcohol levels. It is thought it could become law by the end of 2011.

However, the architects of the proposal, Wine Cellars South Africa, told decanter.com they were ‘not sure’ whether the EU’s stance would affect exports to the European Union.

The UK Wine and Spirit Trade Association confirmed that the practice of adding water to must is not permitted under OIV and EU rules.